Important notice regarding use of cookies: By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Digital Privacy and Cookies Policy. Brokerage products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors.
Two pressures are measured for a blood pressure reading 1  : Systolic blood pressure is a measure of blood pressure while the heart is beating. 2  Diastolic pressure is a measure of blood pressure while the heart is relaxed.
Systolic dysfunction is a characteristic of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). It is also seen in some patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who develop progressive left ventricular dilatation and a decrease in LVEF. In general terms, systolic dysfunction is defined as an LVEF less than 40%. Diastolic dysfunction refers to cardiac dysfunction in which left ventricular filling is abnormal and is accompanied by elevated filling pressures. The diastolic phase of cardiac function includes two components.